Central office technician notification and information system

ABSTRACT

A method and system for use in a central office (CO) having network elements for communicating information between a central office technician (COT) stationed within the CO and network element monitoring personnel or monitoring center stationed remote from the CO. A local area network (LAN) having a hub stationed remote from the CO and a fiber communication line connected to the hub is provided. The fiber communication line has one end extending to the hub and the other end extending within the central office. The hub is operable for communicating with network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO. A node transceiver is coupled to the other end of the fiber communication line within the central office. A wireless transceiver is operable with the node transceiver for providing a communication link between a COT stationed within the CO and the network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO via the local area network. An Internet protocol communication link connects the hub of the local area network with the network element monitoring personnel. An alarm circuit connects the network element monitoring personnel with the network elements. The network element monitoring personnel monitor the status of the network elements using the alarm circuit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a communicationnetworking system for monitoring telephony central offices and, moreparticularly, to a method and system for communicating informationbetween a central office technician (COT) stationed within the centraloffice and network element monitoring personnel stationed remote fromthe central office.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A central office (CO) is a telephone company building wheresubscribers' lines are joined to switching equipment for connectingother subscribers to each other, locally and long distance. A COgenerally includes telecommunication equipment such as switches,transformers, fibers, and cables, and the like, and other equipment suchas cable distribution frames, batteries, air conditioning, heatingsystems, and the like. The equipment of a CO is generally referred to asnetwork element equipment or network elements. Monitoring personnelmonitor the network elements of a CO to ensure everything is workingproperly. In the event network elements have problems, central officetechnicians (COTs) work on the network elements to fix the problems.

[0003] In the past, COTs working within the CO monitored the networkelements. The network elements were each configured with an alertingdevice. The alerting devices alerted the COTs if the network elementsfailed or malfunctioned. The alerting devices employed audio and visualmeans to alert the COTs within the CO that there was a problem. Forinstance, bells or red flashing lights alerted COTs of network elementequipment problems. Upon being alerted, the COTs further investigatedthe network elements to locate the problem area and determine theparticular problem.

[0004] As newer network elements were installed in the COs, themonitoring and alarming functionality was integrated into communicationinterfaces on the network elements. The communication interface allowedthe monitoring and alarming functionality to be remote to otherlocations within the CO. The newer monitoring and alarming functionalityreplaced the previous simple on/off audio and visual alarms to providestatus of the network elements before the network elements actuallyfailed. Connectivity to the monitoring equipment allowed analysis ofmonitoring and alarm conditions to monitoring personnel. This allowedCOTs to perform other tasks within the CO while waiting for networkelements to malfunction. Gradually, the presence of on/off audio andvisual alarms within the CO was retired. Meanwhile, further computerapplications were implemented to increase the capability of monitoringand alarming systems to the point where remote operation of the networkelements within the CO without local human intervention was possible. Amonitoring center remote from the CO housed the monitoring and alarmingsystems. Monitoring personnel within the monitoring center monitored thestatus of the network elements.

[0005] Because there were no communication standards regarding thetransport of monitoring and alarm data conditions between the remotemonitoring center and the network elements, a number of differentcommunication protocols were used to transport the data conditions.Asynchronous as well as synchronous data communication protocols wereused. The remote monitoring center was responsible for providing theappropriate communication interfaces as well as support the specificcommunication protocols to receive monitoring and alarm data messagesfrom the network elements. COTs reviewed the messages and tookappropriate action to correct network element equipment malfunctions.

[0006] Current technology using Transmission Control Protocol/InternetProtocol (TCP/IP) provides network connectivity between the monitoringcenter and the administrative area of the CO. While the remotemonitoring centers work well, the problem of notifying a COT of aproblem that can not be resolved remotely is an issue.

[0007] The current methodology is for monitoring personnel within themonitoring center to issue an electronic trouble ticket for the networkelements in an alarm state. The monitoring personnel issue electronictrouble tickets using a trouble ticket host. The trouble ticket hostuses standard communication technology to electrically transmit troubletickets and work orders to an administrative area of the CO. In theadministrative area, the trouble tickets are printed on four part paper.One copy is given to a COT to resolve the problem. The COT then walksover to the area of the CO containing the network element equipment andworks on the troubled equipment to correct the problem. After the COThas cleared the trouble, the COT leaves the area of the CO housing thenetwork element equipment and returns to the administrative area. TheCOT then inputs the trouble ticket data and the reason for the outageinto a computer for electronic transmission back to the trouble tickethost.

[0008] The trouble ticket host then notifies the monitoring centerpersonnel that the problem network element equipment has been fixed. Thenetwork element equipment may also automatically notify the monitoringcenter via an electronic message that the problem has been fixed andthat the status has returned to normal operating condition.

[0009] Periodically, the printed trouble tickets are picked up anddistributed to the appropriate COT for action. This practice is timeconsuming and may result in significant delay in notifying the COT thatthere is a network element equipment problem and in getting resources toresolve the problem. After the COT clears the problem the COT notifiesthe administrative area that the problem and the trouble ticket has beencleared. There may be significant time lapse between the time thetrouble was actually cleared and the time the COT inputs the clearedtrouble ticket status. This practice results in delays in delivery oftrouble tickets to the CO, delays in reaching the COT, and delays inreporting the resolution of the clearing of the trouble. In some cases,these times must be reported to determine an efficiency report card onCO operations.

[0010] Normal means of communication and notification are unusuallydifficult in a CO. The responsibility of a COT requires serving avariety of network element equipment in the CO. Normally, the COphysical plant is a multi-story building. Generally, the larger the CO,the more stories it contains. Further, COs are constructed of highstrength materials and are heavily reinforced. The use of electronicpagers is not reliable because of the high density of network elementequipment and the electromagnetic interference around the equipment.Cell telephony can not be used as the frequency range of the cell phoneinterferes with network element equipment.

[0011] What is needed is a method and system for communicatinginformation between a COT stationed within the CO and network elementmonitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO or a networkmonitoring center stationed remote from the CO.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea method and system employing a wireless local area network (LAN) forcommunicating information between a COT stationed within the CO andnetwork element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a methodand system employing a LAN having a hub stationed remote from the CO anda fiber communication line extending from the hub into the CO forenabling communication between a COT stationed within the CO and networkelement monitoring personnel stationed in the administrative area of theCO and monitoring applications on OSS hosts located in remote datacenters.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide amethod and system in which a COT stationed within the CO uses a wirelesstransceiver to communicate with a node transceiver connected to a hub ofa LAN for communicating with network element monitoring personnelstationed remote from the CO.

[0015] In carrying out the above objects and other objects, the presentinvention provides a system for use in a central office (CO) havingnetwork elements. The system is for communicating information between acentral office technician (COT) stationed within the CO and networkelement monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO over a privateInternet Protocol (IP) network. The system includes a local area network(LAN) having a hub and a fiber communication line connected to the hub.The hub is stationed remote from the CO. The fiber communication linehas one end extending to the hub and the other end extending within thecentral office. The hub is operable for communicating with networkelement monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO. A nodetransceiver is coupled to the other end of the fiber communication linewithin the central office. A wireless transceiver is operable with thenode transceiver for providing a communication link between a COTstationed within the CO and the network element monitoring personnelstationed remote from the CO via the local area network.

[0016] Preferably, the network element monitoring personnel transmitnetwork element alarm information to the COT stationed within the CO viathe private IP network, the local area network, the node transceiver,and the wireless transceiver. The COT stationed within the CO transmitsnetwork element status information to the network element monitoringpersonnel stationed remote from the CO via the wireless transceiver, thenode transceiver, the local area network, and the private IP network.The network element alarm information and the network element statusinformation may be data and voice information.

[0017] Preferably, an Internet protocol communication link connects thehub of the local area network with the network element monitoringpersonnel. An alarm circuit connects the network element monitoringpersonnel with the network elements. The network element monitoringpersonnel monitor the status of the network elements using the alarmcircuit. Preferably, the wireless transceiver is a held hand device or acomputer carried by the COT stationed within the CO.

[0018] Preferably, the local area network includes a server connected tothe hub. The server is operable for receiving alarm information from thenetwork element monitoring personnel and for receiving network elementstatus information from the COT stationed within the CO.

[0019] Further, in carrying out the above objects and other objects, thepresent invention provides a method for use in a central office (CO)having network elements. The method is for communicating informationbetween a central office technician (COT) stationed within the CO andnetwork element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO. Themethod includes providing a local area network (LAN) having a hub and afiber communication line connected to the hub. The hub is stationedremote from the CO. The fiber communication line has one end extendingto the hub and the other end extending within the central office. Thehub is operable for communicating with network element monitoringpersonnel stationed remote from the CO. A node transceiver is thencoupled to the other end of the fiber communication line within thecentral office. A wireless transceiver operable for communicating withthe node transceiver is then provided. A communication link between aCOT stationed within the CO and the network element monitoring personnelstationed remote from the CO is then enabled via the wirelesstransceiver, the node transceiver, and the local area network.

[0020] The advantages of the present invention are numerous. The presentinvention enables COTs to be able to receive and transmit messages toremote monitoring personnel and other COTs regardless of their locationwithin the CO.

[0021] The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best mode for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art system for communicatinginformation between a central office technician (COT) and networkelement monitoring personnel;

[0023]FIG. 2 illustrates a system for communicating information betweena central office technician (COT) stationed within the central officeand network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from thecentral office in accordance with the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 3 illustrates system initialization communication paths;

[0025]FIG. 4 illustrates system device enabler communication paths;

[0026]FIG. 5 illustrates the NT terminal server of the operationssupport system (OSS) data center;

[0027]FIG. 6 illustrates system UNIX server application communicationpaths; and

[0028]FIG. 7 illustrates UNIX server application data flow.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior art system 10 for communicatinginformation between a central office technician (COT) 12 and a networkelement monitoring center 14 is shown. System 10 includes a centraloffice (CO) 16, a data center 18, monitoring center 14, and anadministrative office 20. CO 16 is a multistory building having aplurality of floors 17 a, 17 b, and 17 c with network elements 22.Network elements or network element equipment 22 are processorcontrolled entities of the telecommunications network that primarilyprovide switching and transport network functions and contain networkoperations functions. Examples include non-AIN and AIN switchingsystems, digital cross-connect systems, and Signaling Transfer Points.In SONET, basic network elements include add/drop multiplexer, broadbanddigital cross-connect, wideband digital cross-connect, digital loopcarrier, and switch interface. Network elements 22 generate strongelectromagnetic fields making it difficult for COTs to communicate withthe outside world using pagers and cell phones. CO 16 is a heavilyreinforced building making pager and cell phone communication furtherdifficult.

[0030] Monitoring center 14, data center 18, and administrative office20 are operations support systems (OSSs) which directly support thedaily operations of the telecommunications infrastructure. At least oneof a plurality of alarm circuits 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d connect datacenter 18 to network elements 22. Alarm circuits 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and24 d have monitoring devices integrated with network elements 22 forgenerating data signals indicative of the status of the networkelements. Data center 18 receives the data signals from alarm circuits24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d for generating information regarding thestatus of network elements 22. Data center 18 is stationed remote fromCO 16 and receives the data signals from alarm circuits 24 a, 24 b, 24c, and 24 d over respective communication links. The respectivecommunication links are a private Internet Protocol (IP) network, anX.25 network, a proprietary network, and a proprietary private linenetwork.

[0031] Data center 18 includes a network management host processor 26which is connected to the respective communication links for receivingthe data signals from alarm circuits 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d. Datacenter 18 further includes a trouble reporting application host 28.

[0032] Monitoring center 14 is also stationed remote from CO 16.Monitoring center 14 and data center 18 may be connected to multiplecentral offices across a region and by necessity are stationed remotefrom at least one of the central offices. Monitoring center 14 includesat least one workstation 30 and network element monitoring personnel 32.A private IP network 34 connects monitoring center 14 to data center 18.Private IP network 34 connects workstation 34 to host processor 26 forreceiving the data signals from alarm circuits 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24d. Monitoring personnel 32 use workstation 30 to monitor the datasignals from alarm circuits 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d to determine thestatus of network elements 22. Monitoring personnel 32 study the datasignals to determine if network elements 22 have a current problem orwill likely to have a problem in the future. In response to a networkelement condition that needs to be fixed or remedied, monitoringpersonnel 32 transmit a trouble ticket signal over IP network 34 totrouble reporting application host 28 of data center 18.

[0033] In response to the trouble ticket signal, trouble reportingapplication host 28 generate an electronic trouble ticket. The troubleticket is indicative of the network element having a problem and mayalso indicate the problem itself. Trouble reporting application host 28then transmits the electronic trouble ticket over a legacy private linenetwork 36 to administrative office 20. Administrative office 20 islocated in CO 16 but is positioned remote from the area of CO containingnetwork elements 22. Administrative office 20 includes a workstation 38and a printer 40. Workstation 38 receives the printed trouble ticketfrom trouble reporting application host 28 and then uses printer 40 togenerate a hard copy of the trouble ticket. A COT 12 waiting withinadministrative office 20 picks up the trouble ticket and then walks overto the area of CO 16 containing network elements 22 to fix the networkelement having the problem. Upon clearing the problem COT 12 moves outof the area of CO 16 containing network elements 22 and returns toadministrative office 20. COT 12 then uses workstation 38 to report tomonitoring center 14 via trouble reporting application host 28 that theproblem has been cleared.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 2, a system 50 for communicatinginformation between COT 12 stationed within CO 16 and network elementmonitoring center stationed remote from the CO in accordance with thepresent invention is shown. System 50 includes common elements withsystem 10 and the common elements have the same reference numbers.System 50 generally includes CO 16, monitoring center 14, a data center52, an administrative office 54, and user account infrastructure 56.

[0035] Administrative office 54 is stationed remote from the area of CO16 containing network elements 22. Administrative office 54 includes alocal area network (LAN) 58. LAN 58 includes a hub 60 and a plurality offiber communication lines 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. Preferably,communication lines 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d are fiber communicationlines to allow long runs (up to 2000 km) and to shield electricalinterference. Fiber communication lines 62 a, 62 b, and 62 c extend fromhub 60 in administrative office 54 to within CO 16 adjacent networkelements 22. Each fiber communication line 62 a, 62 b, and 62 c ispositioned on respective floors 17 a, 17 b, and 17 c within CO 16. Nodetransceivers 64 a, 64 b, and 64 c are coupled to respective fibercommunication lines 62 a, 62 b, and 62 c. Transceivers 64 a, 64, and 64c are configured for receiving signals from and transmitting signals tohub 60 via respective fiber communication lines 62 a, 62 b, and 62 c.

[0036] COT 12 uses a wireless device 66 to communicate with UNIX server80 of administrative area 54 and an NT terminal server 74 of data center52 via LAN 58. Wireless device 66 is operable with node transceivers 64a, 64 b, and 64 c for transmitting wireless signals to and receivingwireless signals from the transceivers over a wireless communicationlink 68 to communicate with hub 60 of LAN 58. Wireless device 66 is ahand held device such as personal digital assistant, a lap top computer,a personal computer on a cart, and the like. As will be described ingreater detail, hub 60 is operable for communicating with networkelement monitoring center 14 such that COT 12 is able to communicateusing wireless device 66 with the monitoring center via LAN 58.

[0037] As with system 10 of FIG. 1, alarm circuits 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and24 d connect data center 52 to network elements 22 for the data centerto receive data signals indicative of the condition of the networkelements. Data center 52 includes a host processor/trouble reportingapplication host 70, a graphics server 72, and a terminal server 74.Host processor/trouble reporting application host 70 receives the datasignals indicative of the condition of network elements 22 from alarmcircuits 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d. Host processor/trouble reportingapplication host 70 forwards the data signals over IP network 34 tomonitoring center 14. Monitoring personnel 32 study the data signals andin the event of a problem may transmit a trouble ticket signal back todata center 52. In response to a trouble ticket signal, hostprocessor/trouble reporting application host 70 transmits a troubleticket over IP network 34 to a router 76 within administrative office54. Of course, host processor/trouble reporting application host 70 mayautomatically study the data signals and transmit a trouble ticketsignal over IP network 34 to router 76 within administration office 54.This procedure is performed automatically without the need for humanmonitoring personnel intervention. Router 76 is connected to hub 60 ofLAN 58. A printer 78 is connected to hub 60. Printer 78 prints a printedtrouble ticket for personnel within administrative office 54. Personnelwithin administrative office 54 may then contact COT 12 within CO usingwireless LAN 58.

[0038] In response to detecting a problem, monitoring personnel 32 mayalso establish a direct data or voice communication connection with LAN58 via IP network 34 for communicating directly with COT 12. Thecommunication connection extends from workstation 30 of monitoringcenter 14 through IP network 34, router 76, hub 60, fiber communicationlinks 62 a, node transceiver 64 a to wireless transceiver 66 carried byCOT 12. COT 12 may then receive the data or voice signals to becomeaware of the problem, go over to network elements 22 and fix theproblem, and then transmit data or voice signals back to monitoringcenter 24 to indicate that the problem has been fixed, what the problemis, how should the COT fix the problem, and the like. In essence, COT 12can communicate with monitoring center 14 similarly to the communicationthat takes place over a pager or cell phone without actually using thesedevices.

[0039] Thus, the general operation of system 10 is as follows. Networkelements 22 within CO 16 have a problem. Alarm circuits 24 a, 24 b, 24c, and 24 d convey data signals indicative of the status of networkelements 22 to data center 52. Data center 52 forwards the data signalsto monitoring center 14. Monitoring center 14 studies the data signalsand determines that an alarm condition exists. Monitoring center theneither directly or indirectly contacts COT 12 stationed within CO 16 byusing LAN 60 in conjunction with wireless transceiver 66 carried by theCOT. COT 12 then fixes the problem and may communicate with monitoringcenter 14 while fixing the problem.

[0040] Administrative office 54 further includes a UNIX server 80. Fibercommunication link 62 d connects UNIX server 80 to hub 60. UNIX server80 is used for establishing the desired communication paths between COTs12 and monitoring center 14 and is also the print server. UNIX server 80is operable for receiving alarm information from monitoring center 14and for receiving network element status information from COT 12 withinCO 16.

[0041] Each wireless transceiver 66 has a dynamically assigned IPaddress. UNIX server 80 assigns the IP addresses. LAN 58 uses theassigned address to set up the communication path between COT 12 andmonitoring center 14 or administrative office 54. Wireless transceiver66 has dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) functionality for automaticaddress assignment. Wireless transceiver 66 includes a personal computermemory card international association (PCMCIA) communication card forenabling the communication link with hub 60 of LAN 58. Preferably, thecommunication link between COT 12 and hub 69 of LAN 58 is a TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) communication link. Wirelesstransceiver 66 preferably includes audio means for alerting COT 12 as towhen somebody is attempting to establish a communication path with theCOT. For instance, the audio means may be similar to a telephone ring.

[0042] Each wireless transceiver 66 must have an IP address to be used.Wireless transceiver 66 dynamically obtains an IP address by sending aspecial message to UNIX server 80 (DHCP server) to request an IP addressas the wireless transceiver powers on. NT terminal server 74 sends aspecial message containing the assigned IP address to wirelesstransceiver 66.

[0043] The above described procedure is performed when wirelesstransceiver 66 powers on and before COT 12 longs on using the wirelesstransceiver. In logging on, COT 12 enters a logon ID and password intowireless transceiver 66. UNIX server 80 authenticates COT 12 and recordsthe name of the COT using wireless transceiver 66 in the DHCP file.Thus, a record of the IP address of wireless device 66 and the name ofCOT 12 using that wireless device is kept.

[0044] In response to an alarm being received from a network element,the name of COT 12 authorized and trained to repair or maintain thatnetwork element is obtained. Then the name of the selected COT 12 isassociated with the IP address of the wireless device 66 in thepossession of the COT. Having the IP address of wireless device 66, UNIXserver 80 can then forward the alarm to the wireless device 66 of theselected COT 12.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 3, initialization communication paths ofsystem 50 are shown. System 50 includes an initialization communicationpath 82 between NT terminal server 74 and wireless transceiver 66, aninitialization communication path 84 between graphics server 72 and UNIXserver 80, and an initialization communication path 86 between the NTterminal server and a domain controller 88 of account infrastructure 56.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 4, device enabler communication paths ofsystem 50 are shown. System 50 includes a device enabler communicationpath 90 between terminal server 74 and wireless transceiver 66 and adevice enabler communication path 92 between the terminal server andUNIX server 80.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 5, terminal server 74 will be explained ingreater detail. NT terminal server 74 includes a user shell 94 and adevice enabler application 96. User shell 94 includes a list 98 of uservariables. User shell 94 and device enabler application 96 communicatedata with UNIX server 80 along various paths shown in FIG. 5.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation of UNIX server 80will be described in greater detail. UNIX server 80 is operable with afile system 100 for processing trouble tickets. File system 100 includesa raw data store 102, an archived ticket data store 104, a rules datastore 106, and a ticket data store 108. Raw data store 102 is operablefor receiving tickets from UNIX server 80 during a ticket move operation110. A modify operation 112 then modifies the tickets. Archived ticketdata store 104 and/or ticket data store 108 may then receive themodified tickets. Terminal server 74 may then access ticket data store108 to receive the modified tickets. A monitor operation 114 may alsomonitor the modified tickets of ticket data store 108 to determine ifrules from rules data store 106 have been satisfied. An update operation116 may receive a message from monitor operation 114 for graphics server74. Update operation 116 may also send a message to modify operation 112if the monitor operation determines that the rules have not beensatisfied.

[0049] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordancewith the present invention, a method and system for communicatinginformation between a central office technician (COT) stationed withinthe CO and network element monitoring personnel stationed remote fromthe CO that fully satisfy the objects, aims, and advantages set forthabove. While the present invention has been described in conjunctionwith specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intendedto embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fallwithin the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. For use in a central office (CO) having networkelements, a system for communicating information between a centraloffice technician (COT) stationed within the CO and a network elementmonitoring center stationed remote from the CO, the system comprising: alocal area network (LAN) having a hub and a fiber communication lineconnected to the hub, the hub stationed remote from the CO, the fibercommunication line having one end extending to the hub and the other endextending within the central office, the hub operable for communicatingwith the network element monitoring center stationed remote from the CO;a node transceiver coupled to the other end of the fiber communicationline within the central office; and a wireless transceiver operable withthe node transceiver for providing a communication link between a COTstationed within the CO and the network element monitoring centerstationed remote from the CO via the local area network.
 2. For use in acentral office (CO) having network elements, a system for communicatinginformation between a central office technician (COT) stationed withinthe CO and network element monitoring personnel stationed remote fromthe CO, the system comprising: a local area network (LAN) having a huband a fiber communication line connected to the hub, the hub stationedremote from the CO, the fiber communication line having one endextending to the hub and the other end extending within the centraloffice, the hub operable for communicating with network elementmonitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO; a node transceivercoupled to the other end of the fiber communication line within thecentral office; and a wireless transceiver operable with the nodetransceiver for providing a communication link between a COT stationedwithin the CO and the network element monitoring personnel stationedremote from the CO via the local area network.
 3. The system of claim 2wherein: the network element monitoring personnel transmit networkelement alarm information to the COT stationed within the CO via thelocal area network, the node transceiver, and the wireless transceiver.4. The system of claim 2 wherein: the COT stationed within the COtransmits network element status information to the network elementmonitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO via the wirelesstransceiver, the node transceiver, and the local area network.
 5. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein: the communication link between the COTstationed within the CO and the hub of the local area network is aTransmission Control Protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) communicationlink.
 6. The system of claim 2 wherein: the communication links betweenthe COT stationed within the CO and the network element monitoringpersonnel stationed remote from the CO is a data communication link. 7.The system of claim 2 wherein: the communication link between the COTstationed within the CO and the network element monitoring personnelstationed remote from the CO is a voice communication link.
 8. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein: the wireless transceiver has an assignedaddress, wherein the local area network uses the assigned address to setup the communication link between the COT stationed within the CO andthe network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO.9. The system of claim 2 wherein: the wireless transceiver has dynamichost control protocol (DHCP) functionality for automatic addressassignment.
 10. The system of claim 2 wherein: the wireless transceiverincludes a personal computer memory card international association(PCMCIA) communication card for enabling the communication link with thehub of the local area network.
 11. The system of claim 2 wherein: thelocal area network further includes a second fiber communication lineconnected to the hub, the second fiber communication line having one endextending to the hub and the other end extending within the centraloffice, a second node transceiver is coupled to the other end of thefiber communication line within the central office, and a secondwireless transceiver is operable with the second node transceiver forproviding a communication link between a second COT stationed within theCO and the network element monitoring personnel stationed remote fromthe CO via the hub of the local area network.
 12. The system of claim 2wherein: a Internet protocol communication link connects the hub of thelocal area network with the network element monitoring personnel. 13.The system of claim 2 wherein: an alarm circuit connects the networkelement monitoring personnel with the network elements, wherein thenetwork element monitoring personnel monitor the status of the networkelements using the alarm circuit.
 14. The system of claim 2 wherein: thewireless transceiver is a held hand device carried by the COT stationedwithin the CO.
 15. The system of claim 2 wherein: the wirelesstransceiver is a computer carried by the COT stationed within the CO.16. The system of claim 2 wherein: the local area network includes aserver connected to the hub, the server operable for receiving alarminformation from the network element monitoring personnel and forreceiving network element status information from the COT stationedwithin the CO.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein: the server isstationed in an administrative area of the CO remote from the networkelements.
 18. For use in a central office (CO) having network elements,a method for communicating information between a central officetechnician (COT) stationed within the CO and network element monitoringpersonnel stationed remote from the CO, the method comprising: providinga local area network (LAN) having a hub and a fiber communication lineconnected to the hub, the hub stationed remote from the CO, the fibercommunication line having one end extending to the hub and the other endextending within the central office, the hub operable for communicatingwith network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO;coupling a node transceiver to the other end of the fiber communicationline within the central office; providing a wireless transceiveroperable for communicating with the node transceiver; and enabling acommunication link between a COT stationed within the CO and the networkelement monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO via thewireless transceiver, the node transceiver, and the local area network.19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: transmitting networkelement alarm information from the network element monitoring personnelto the COT stationed within the CO via the hub of the local areanetwork, the node transceiver, and the wireless transceiver.
 20. Themethod of claim 18 further comprising: transmitting network elementstatus information from the COT stationed within the CO to the networkelement monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO via thewireless transceiver, the node transceiver, and the local area network.21. The method of claim 18 wherein: enabling a communication linkbetween a COT stationed within the CO and the network element monitoringpersonnel stationed remote from the CO via the wireless transceiver, thenode transceiver, and the local area network includes enabling aTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) communicationlink between the COT stationed within the CO and the hub of the localarea network.
 22. The method of claim 18 wherein: enabling acommunication link between a COT stationed within the CO and the networkelement monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO via thewireless transceiver, the node transceiver, and the local area networkincludes enabling a data communication link.
 23. The method of claim 18wherein: enabling a communication link between a COT stationed withinthe CO and the network element monitoring personnel stationed remotefrom the CO via the wireless transceiver, the node transceiver, and thelocal area network includes enabling a voice communication link.
 24. Themethod of claim 18 further comprising: providing the wirelesstransceiver with an assigned address; and using the assigned address toset up the communication link between the COT stationed within the COand the network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from theCO via the wireless local area network.
 25. The method of claim 18further comprising: connecting an Internet protocol communication linkbetween the hub of the local area network and the network elementmonitoring personnel.
 26. The method of claim 18 further comprising:connecting an alarm circuit between the network element monitoringpersonnel and the network elements; and using the alarm circuit for thenetwork element monitoring personnel to monitor the status of thenetwork elements.
 27. The method of claim 18 further comprising:connecting a server to the hub of the local area network; and receivingat the server alarm information from the network element monitoringpersonnel; and receiving at the server network element statusinformation from the COT stationed within the CO.